Rudolf Diesel Biography

BIRTH: March 18, 1858

Paris, France

Date of Disappearance: September 29, 1913 (aged 55)

en route London

Rudolf Diesel Biography : Inventor the Diesel Engine

Rudolf Diesel was a German inventor and mechanical engineer known for his invention of the Diesel engine.

Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was born on March 18, 1858, in Paris, France to Theodor Diesel and Elise Strobel. His father was a book-binder, and his mother worked as a leatherworker. In 1870, Rudolf’s family moved to London, but young Rudolf had to stay with relatives to continue his education. It was at this time that he started to love mechanics. At the age of fourteen, he informed his parents that his dream was to become an engineer. After he finished his education, he joined the Industrial School of Augsburg. He was a bright student and did exceptionally well in his studies. Later, he went to the University of Engineering (Polytechnic Institute), Munich. He studied the basis of mechanics and thermodynamics under Professor Karl Paul Gottfried.

He got practical experience in engineering while he worked at the Sulzer Brothers Machine Works. After he earned his college degree, he moved to Paris. He planned to set up his refrigeration and ice plant business. He took help of his former professor, Karl Paul Gottfried to start his business. In 1881, he was appointed as the director of the factory in Paris. During 1884, Diesel developed an ammonia engine development plan. He came up with a theory that involved using electro magnetic waves at high rotation per second, which was a feat in the field of science.

The company Linde Engineering was impressed by Diesel’s work and offered him a job in their Berlin office in 1890.

Diesel continued to make machines that ran smoothly and efficiently. He studied a famous French physicist’s works. He concluded that it was possible to create four times more effective engines compared to the steam engines used at the time. Then onwards, he began to work on this idea and designed an engine which brought a revolution in the industry. He tested the engine and used the cheapest fuel available, powdered coal. The experiment was successful and he patented it in 1892.

Diesel started to work on his momentous invention of the diesel engine in the same year. He got the patent for a new rational heat engine and then another patent for the ‘working method and design for combustion engines’. In 1893, Diesel built the world’s first diesel engine and received a patent for his design. He also published a report on his new engine called the Theory and Construction of a Rational Heat Motor. It was received positively by people who wanted to know more about his latest invention.

Even though his tests were successful, the engine was not commercially available. He made a few improvements in his engine. The major one was that he replaced the fuel, coal powder, with pure mineral oil. Later, he began to use heavy petroleum. In 1898, Diesel’s 25-horsepower model was presented at the Munich Exhibition. His diesel engine began to sell to the public and the automobile industry.

The very first diesel engine was built in Mississippi. It took him six years to complete the final model of the engine. His technology is still used today in marine engines, automobiles, electric power generators, factories, trains, and oil-drilling equipment. After his invention of the engine, more substantial and heavy vehicles were able to run efficiently. For his notable contribution to technology, Diesel was inducted to the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1978.

Diesel married Martha Flasche in 1883. The couple had three children.

Diesel’s death is considered as one of the biggest mysteries of all time. On September 29, 1913, at the age of 55, he suddenly disappeared. His cabin in the steamer he was traveling on was found to be empty.